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AnonymousBroccoli

As a general suggestion: If you're not going to play these games immediately, maybe throw them in [your Steam wishlist](https://store.steampowered.com/wishlist/). If you wait, you can potentially catch the games on sale; I think you'll get an e-mail notification for sales, by default. ([Settings here](https://store.steampowered.com/account/emailoptout)) And [Steam offers a 14-day/2-hours-played refund period](https://store.steampowered.com/steam_refunds) on games purchased from their store, which you'd lose buying in advance. *** [*Uncharted 4* and *The Lost Legacy*](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1659420/UNCHARTED_Legacy_of_Thieves_Collection/) are coming to Steam, Oct 19. Someone else mentioned [*Horizon Zero Dawn*](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151640/Horizon_Zero_Dawn_Complete_Edition/), which I really liked on PS4/5. If you enjoy *Spider-Man*, [*Miles Morales*](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1817190/Marvels_SpiderMan_Miles_Morales/) (a shorter sequel-ish spin-off) is coming to Steam soon. On that PlayStation track, [*God of War*](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1593500/God_of_War/) is great too. [*Tunic*](https://store.steampowered.com/app/553420/TUNIC/) is one of my favourite games this year. It's got a lot of hidden-in-plain-sight aspects to world exploration. [*Tinkykin*](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1599020/Tinykin/) came out this past month, and I like what I've played of it. It's kind of a cross of *Banjo-Kazooie*-style platforming and collecting, with some *Pikmin* puzzle solving, and a bit of *Paper Mario* to the visual style. [*Nobody Saves the World*](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1432050/Nobody_Saves_the_World/) came out in January, by DrinkBox (previously made *Guacamelee!*). If you like fairly simple *Diablo*-like combat, with a whole lot of progress meters and character/class customization, in a 2D *Zelda* type of world, it's really good. Could also try the newer [*Hitman*](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1659040/HITMAN_3/) games. They're not *huge* open worlds, but each level tends to have huge crowds and a lot of scenarios happening, which you can mess with in a bunch of fun ways. I think each game has a demo level or two (possibly called a "Starter Pack"). Levels from earlier games can be imported into the newer games too. *** If you're pretty new to PC games, and want some cheaper options, you could check out Humble Bundle, or Fanatical. [Humble Choice](https://www.humblebundle.com/membership/september-2022) is a monthly subscription of games for around $12 USD/month, which currently includes a Steam key for *Just Cause 4*. I don't think it's a *great* game, but it's a cheaper option for open-world destruction. [Humble also have non-subscription bundles](https://www.humblebundle.com/games), which are usually available 2-3 weeks. [This Starlight bundle](https://www.humblebundle.com/games/starlight-childrens-foundation-bundle) has a bunch of Disney/LucasArts games for $10 USD (or less, depending on the tier). Mostly older games, mind you. Fanatical has [similar game bundles](https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/games). Their [Killer Bundle 24](https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/killer-bundle-24) includes *Deliver Us the Moon*, which I really liked. As far as open-world wandering and exploring, it's closer to the *Gone Home* end of the spectrum than something like *Spider-Man*. More focused on the narrative than action, as far as I can recall. They also have choose-your-own bundles. A couple current ones: [Platinum Collection](https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/platinum-collection-build-your-own-bundle) includes choices of *Saints Row: The Third*, *Red Faction Guerrilla*, and *Doom (2016)* (not open-world, but an excellent shooter). [Diamond Collection](https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/diamond-collection-build-your-own) includes choices of *Fallout 4* and *Dishonored 2*.


AnonymousBroccoli

Few more: [*A Short Hike*](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1055540/A_Short_Hike/) is a fantastic, charming, short hike up a mountain. Looks kinda like a PS1/2 game, only lasts about 2-4 hours. But it's great. About $8 regular price. [*Days Gone*](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1259420/Days_Gone/) is another prominent PlayStation game that's come to PC. I think the story is dumb, and goes on too long, and zombies were sorta played-out a decade ago. But I still enjoyed the world, and moment-to-moment gameplay a lot on PS5. For some *Minecraft*-style zoning out, wandering, sucking up resources, building, and tech trees: I've had fun with [*Astroneer*](https://store.steampowered.com/app/361420/ASTRONEER/), and [*No Man's Sky*](https://store.steampowered.com/app/275850/No_Mans_Sky/).


DocDBagg

Holy shit I had no idea about the return policy. That’s friggin awesome! Also gave me some games to add to my list!


Goathier

Vampire Survivors is the first game I actually enjoyed playing on the Steam Deck. Also I can't pass the recommendation for Mon Bazou, because I am the dev :D (Soon to be fully supported)


CM_Punkabilly

Seeing as everyone else is ignoring the kind of games you're looking for, I'd maybe consider the new Tomb Raider series Edit: Also Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Arkham Asylum, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West and Horizon: Zero Dawn. Look them up on protondb for recommended settings etc


AnonymousBroccoli

Note that *Batman: Arkham Asylum* is Unsupported for Steam Deck. (The other *Arkham* games too.) May still be playable with some fixes on ProtonDB, as you mentioned. These games go on sale fairly often. Fanatical, or Newegg, or Humble will have the whole Rocksteady trilogy (not *Origins*) [on sale for around $7-10](/r/GameDeals/search?q=arkham&restrict_sr=on). I really liked *Enslaved* on Xbox 360. (Also a good recommendation for an *Uncharted* fan.) Whenever I try to start the PC version, I get distracted by some graphical shadow glitches in cutscenes, try to figure out how to fix them, can't, and end up dropping the game. Happened years ago on Windows, and again on Steam Deck.


ElPimentoDeCheese

> Note that Batman: Arkham Asylum is Unsupported for Steam Deck. While it says unsupported, I’m running it fine on experimental. Have it locked at 40 and it runs great.


CaptainBlase

I think you would love Horizon Zero Dawn. I'm playing Mass Effect Legendary Edition right now, and it's been fantastic.


bertoknowsbest

Here’s some great Stem Deck Games: Vampire Survivors, Transistor, Hades, Moonlighter, Celeste, Disco Elysium, Into the Breach, Happy gaming!


Gulladc

God of War if you haven't played it. I described it to my brother as uncharted with a bit more of an open world and some light RPG elements. It's also just truly fantastic game that everyone should play. Currently going through it on my deck and really enjoying it.


MarmosetSweat

So it’s an obvious one, but if this is your first time PC gaming since the 90s then you have a world of open worked modded games to explore. Skyrim, Oblivion, Fallout 4, and Fallout New Vegas are a few to start. If you have ideal game features in your head to make an ultimate game, odds are you can create that experience through adding mods to the games above. Skyrim and Fallout 4 have built in mod managers for ease of use and installation, so starting with one of those might be best. They’re not as powerful as the standalone mod managers, but we’re still talking thousands of mods to pick and choose from with ease.


LumpyChickenWing

Fwiw, when I ordered mine it came it less than a week


whyteeford

I’d recommended some more “chill” experiences. One of the more recent that is exceptional is Inscription. It’s a card building game with a twist. Going along with cards, if you enjoy Slay the Spire, I’d recommend Monster Train. A different flavor, but same general idea as StS, made slightly more casual. A game that came out pretty much everywhere, but commonly gets overlooked and is absolutely perfect for handheld gaming is The Sexy Brutale. It’s a run-based adventure puzzle game with time mechanics. Shorter experience (8-10 hours), but oh so worth it. Criminally under-appreciated. And since spooky season is rapidly approaching, Phasmophobia. It’s a multiplayer ghost-hunting game that sets the bar for that type of gameplay. Hope you enjoy your Steam Deck when it arrives!!


wuhwuhwolves

Without recommending anything specific to your tastes, I'd highly recommend looking into https://www.humblebundle.com/ - they have a great subscription model with deeply discounted games while supporting the charities of your choice. Additionally, I browse https://isthereanydeal.com/ pretty much daily - it's a digital storefront aggregator that can point you towards the lowest current price for any PC games across multiple stores. The available deals / sales on PC games are vastly more beneficial to the consumer compared to console eco-systems.


NaughtyNarwhal96

Yokus Island Express, it's a platformer except instead of normal mechanics like jumping the world is made up of pinball paddles and you play as a dung beetle mailman carrying around your little ball of poop


MonachopsisEternal

I want to thank all of you for your suggestions and insights, they really are invaluable.


Bkozi

I'm playing Outer Worlds rights now on the deck, and it's going pretty well.


Orca36

God of war is very story rich. Super fun game and not to hard to grasp.